Magnetic disc cartridge and corresponding system/method for limiting coping of software

Abstract

A disc cartridge and corresponding method/system are provided for limiting the number of copies which may be made of software stored on a magnetic disc. A magnetic field generating member is provided within a magnetic disc cartridge, or embedded within a magneto-optical or magnetic disc, so that after copying of the software from the first disc to a second disc, the magnet is energized so as to create an erasing magnetic or electromagnetic field proximate the first disc in order to erase the copied software therefrom, while an anti-copy signal is copied or otherwise sent along with the software from the first disc to the second disc so as to prevent later copying of the software from the second disc. According to certain other embodiments of this invention, a method/system is provided for erasing software from a disc using the above-discussed cartridge after a user attempting to copy the software enters an incorrect password a predetermined number of consecutive times.

I claim: 
     
       1. A method of erasing software from a magnetic disc when an incorrect password is entered by a user a predetermined number of consecutive times, the method comprising the steps of: providing the magnetic disc;   providing a disc cartridge within which the magnetic disc is mounted, and providing as part of the cartridge a spring-biased slidable shutter adjacent a head insert opening in the cartridge;   providing an opening in the shutter;   spring-biasing the shutter into a closed position when the disc cartridge and magnetic disc therein are outside of a computer so as to cover the head insert opening in the cartridge;   sliding the shutter and uncovering the head insert opening in the cartridge when the disc cartridge and magnetic disc therein are inserted into a computer;   requesting a user to enter a pre-programmed or preset password upon the user requesting copying or access to software stored on the magnetic disc;   determining whether the password entered by the user following said requesting step is correct; and   sending an erasing signal and automatically erasing the software from the magnetic disc when an incorrect password is determined to have been entered by the user a predetermined number of consecutive times.   
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1, wherein said automatically erasing step further includes the step of: creating a magnetic field proximate the magnetic disc using a magnet mounted on the disc cartridge to perform said erasing.   
     
     
       3. The method of claim 2, wherein said automatically erasing step further includes the step of: energizing a coil mounted on the cartridge adjacent the magnet thereby creating an electromagnetic field proximate the magnetic disc in order to perform said erasing.   
     
     
       4. The method of claim 1, wherein the predetermined number is from about one to five. 
     
     
       5. The method of claim 1, wherein said automatic erasing step further includes sending an erasing signal to a battery which causes magnetic means mounted on the cartridge to create an erasing magnetic field proximate the magnetic disc and erasing software thereon. 
     
     
       6. The method of claim 5, further providing a coil mounted on the shutter and located adjacent the opening in the shutter, as part of the magnetic means. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of (i) performing the operation Y=Y-1 when it is determined that an incorrect password has been entered so that a new Y value after it is determined that an incorrect password has been entered is equal to a previous Y value minus 1, and (ii) permitting the user to attempt to access the software on the disc when it is determined that the new Y value is greater than zero, and (iii) sending an erasing signal to erase the software on the disc when it is determined that the new Y value is equal to or less than zero.